tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717654361377519730.post8861868245228411508..comments2023-06-07T07:18:16.864-07:00Comments on Un-/Employed: Spirit Trees (help, please)Joseph Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090686611405364311noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717654361377519730.post-79485102589672522282010-09-17T20:35:20.540-07:002010-09-17T20:35:20.540-07:00The great thing about folklore, is it doesn't ...The great thing about folklore, is it doesn't matter as much how long it's been in a particular geographic location as it does that there is something passed along family lines. The deepest folklore is where there a deep core to a family or clan, that grows to a village, then a region. No matter where you go, the people rooted in the folklore had family members somewhere back along the lines that brought a tradition, idea, song, or superstition with them. Then other people move in or at least come and visit and pick up on things as well. Generally, items specific to celebrations are the most obvious.Joseph Centerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00090686611405364311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717654361377519730.post-42566708955547762392010-09-17T15:08:15.593-07:002010-09-17T15:08:15.593-07:00By the way, I'm sure you know this with having...By the way, I'm sure you know this with having lived in Italy, Utah, Ohio, and Michigan (I'm probably missing another one or two there), but nothing gives you an appreciation for what's unique about a culture like leaving it and going to another one (and then especially for coming back). Take the Michigan accent. There's a tradition in-and-of-itself. We all think that, unlike any other place in world history, we don't have aaaaaaayyccents, but everyone in Washington recognized it as soon as I got there, and now, even I recognize it.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708022607046379611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717654361377519730.post-59303385808730835302010-09-17T15:04:16.133-07:002010-09-17T15:04:16.133-07:00Hmm... the problem with folklore in the Midwest is...Hmm... the problem with folklore in the Midwest is that white people have only been in it for a couple hundred years, and we kicked out all the Native Americans (sadly). <br /><br />Certainly one folk legend that comes to mind is Paul Bunyan. I am not sure how much Appalachian foothills that is, though. It's more Upper Midwest, but then again, that's where I'm from, as you know. People around the Midwest say, "pop," for, "soda," which always gets me strange looks now that I live in Washington. <br /><br />I think one thing I would say about the Midwest, and this isn't really folklore, but mannerisms, is that people are less loud/in your face than in the East. It's hard to describe, but if you've been to both, you know the difference. People aren't cutting you off as much as when you're driving or speaking. It's almost a quiet humility/dignity that I would stress in the character if I were writing such a story. I'm not sure life is slow like what I have heard about the South, but it's certainly not fast like Washington, DC and northward. I know this isn't the folklore that you're looking for, but I think it's essential to the character of the people. <br /><br />Anyway, as always, I'm really interested to see what you come up with!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708022607046379611noreply@blogger.com